Current facility: 14,215 sq.ft. (or15,425 sq.ft. incl. shared municipal space), built in 2001 for a population of 22,859 (= prov. minimum recommended 0.65 sq.ft. per capita). Population June 2015: 46,485.

Provincial guidelines for a central, stand-alone library building in Ontario, serving between 35,000 and 75,000 residents: 65,625 sq. ft minimum (= 5x larger than current library; size of Stouffville Canadian Tire Store with Garden Centre).

Expansion plans have been postponed annually since 2007: first to '09, then '10, then '12, then '14. In 2014 plans were developed to allow a new council "to hit the road running" (Emmerson)--with an additional 21,995 sq. ft. library space. In 2015 these plans were rejected by a new mayor and council, with a smaller proposal of 16,000 additional sq.ft. (27% reduction)--an appropriate minimum for a 2016 population but, like in 2001, not planned for growth.

"We, residents of Whitchurch-Stouffville, petition Town Council to develop and approve a plan to increase per person library funding to the provincial average by 2015, and to begin immediately to develop plans for a library expansion" (click to sign online petition)

Between 2009 and 2010, per capita funding for the Library dropped 8%, from $25.43 to $23.44. In the same year, Recreation programming & facilities increased 34%, from $127.06 to $170.33

Between 2006 and 2010, per person expenditures for the Library has declined from $29.39 to $23.44. In 2009, we were 43% below the provincial average for communities our size (2010 BMA, p. 124; compare 2013 BMA Municipal Study). In contrast, W-S's recreation programming and facilities funding has averaged 11% above the provincial avg. levels.

A pillar of the Town's corporate strategy since at least 2006 has been "balanced growth and community sustainability." The Library plays a critical role in community sustainability--intellectual, social, and cultural.

In each of the last three years, the Library Board/ Administration has drawn attention to the significant threats and weaknesses to this aspect community's social infrastructure (Budget Reports 2009, '10, '11).

Next steps: Please continue to make your views known to the mayor and ward councillors;High school students in particular should let council know if the Library is sufficient for your academic and meeting needs.

Margaret Atwood's Twitter support for W-Stouffville Public Library!

Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library

Built 2001 for a pop. of 22,800, but not for growth (minimum sq.ft.). 2015 pop is 46,385 and growing. (Click pic for more on facilities)

Q. Why are our library hours so limited?

A. Insufficient funds for the library to open at 9:30 am, stay open after 6pm on Friday (4 pm in summer), or Sunday am. Click pic for Library Bd Minutes, #10.3, May 2010

Whitchurch-Stouffville Public Library Bldg, 1977-2001

Built for a pop. of 13,400 (1977). Did you know that since 2006, W-Stouffville has grown by 33,000 people?

Stouffville's "Carnegie" Library

Built in 1923 with a prestigious Carnegie Foundation Grant. Would we qualify today? Likely not; our level of municipal funding is the lowest in Ontario for communities our size (Click image to see some early, radical library supporters in Stouffville!)